Beats has launched its first customizable over-ear headphones. The Beats 360 cost $349.99, are available to order now, and reach stores on September 24, 2026. Their pitch is unusually specific: a premium noise-canceling headphone that can handle sweat, swap between workout and everyday cushions, and work deeply with both Apple and Android devices.
That makes the Beats 360 more interesting than a routine flagship refresh. They are IPX4 rated, use removable ear and headband cushions, and promise up to 32 hours of listening even with active noise cancellation and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled. But early reviews also identify meaningful tradeoffs, including no wired listening, no wear detection and a fit that may feel tight on larger heads.
Beats 360 price and release date
Beats 360 orders opened on September 22 for $349.99 in the United States. The headphones go on sale in stores on September 24 in Black, Cloud, Pink and Sky. Each pair includes matching Performance Knit cushions and a woven ripstop carrying case.
Extra Cushion Kits include both earcup and headband cushions. Performance Knit versions come in Black, Cloud, Pink, Sky, Navy and Volt, while the softer UltraPlush version comes in Black and Cloud. Beats is offering the kits for $9.99 in select markets through October 31, 2026, while supplies last; the normal price is $49.99.
What makes Beats 360 different
The defining feature is not a new codec or another AI mode. It is the modular physical design. Both the ear cushions and headband cushion detach, letting owners change color, replace worn material or keep a clean set ready after exercise. The two materials serve different purposes: breathable Performance Knit ships with the headphones and targets workouts, while engineered-leather UltraPlush aims for longer everyday sessions.
Key confirmed specifications include:
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance for non-water exercise
- Custom dual-magnet drivers with three-layer diaphragms
- Adaptive active noise cancellation, Transparency mode and Adaptive EQ
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Dolby Atmos
- Nine microphones for noise cancellation and voice pickup
- Bluetooth 5.3 with native Apple and Android features
- 294.5-gram weight and a fold-flat design
- USB-C charging with up to one hour of playback from a five-minute charge
Sound, ANC and battery life
Beats says its adaptive system provides up to 1.75 times more combined active and passive noise cancellation than Beats Studio Pro under its stated test method. Independent impressions are encouraging but more nuanced. The Verge found good noise cancellation, strong bass and clear highs, while noting that the midrange could sound muddled. Engadget described the tuning as energetic and bass-forward and reported that its review unit was tracking ahead of the official battery estimate.
The official claim is up to 32 hours with ANC and Personalized Spatial Audio enabled, or with Adaptive EQ active. Transparency mode lowers the figure to 24 hours. Those are strong numbers for a premium over-ear model, but battery life will vary with volume, settings and wireless conditions.
Apple and Android support
The custom Beats chip provides one-touch pairing, always-on Hey Siri, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, FaceTime Spatial Audio and Apple’s Find My on compatible Apple hardware. Network location in Find My requires iOS 27 or later.
Android users get Fast Pair, Audio Switch and Find Hub. The Beats app requires Android 15 or later. This balanced platform support is a practical advantage for households that mix iPhones, Android phones and tablets.
What early reviews say
The workout focus is real, but the design will not suit everyone. The Verge found the headphones stable for moderate exercise, though they could shift during sprints or sit-ups. Its reviewer also found the knit cushions somewhat itchy during long sessions. Engadget praised the customization and sound, but found the clamp uncomfortable on a larger head and said the similar-feeling controls take time to learn.
Several omissions matter at $349.99. There is no 3.5mm input, no wired USB-C audio, no lossless USB-C playback and no automatic pause when the headphones are removed. Buyers who routinely plug headphones into an airplane seat, game controller, audio interface or laptop should treat the wireless-only design as a dealbreaker rather than a footnote.
Beats 360 versus Beats Studio Pro
Beats has cut the official Studio Pro price to $299.99. The older model lacks the Beats 360’s IPX4 rating, removable headband cushion and workout-focused knit pads, but it supports 3.5mm audio and lossless listening over USB-C. It also offers up to 40 hours with ANC off, compared with the Beats 360’s 32-hour headline figure.
The decision is therefore straightforward. Choose Beats 360 if sweat resistance, replaceable cushions and a secure active-use design are the priority. Choose Studio Pro if wired flexibility, USB-C lossless audio or a lower list price matters more. Readers considering the older model can check the current price for Beats Studio Pro on Amazon.
Who should buy Beats 360?
- Best fit: people who prefer over-ear headphones at the gym, want an official sweat-resistance rating and value replaceable cushions.
- Consider carefully: listeners with larger heads, runners doing high-impact training and anyone sensitive to textured knit material.
- Skip them: travelers and creators who need a wired connection, listeners who want lossless USB-C audio, or buyers who expect automatic pause at this price.
Early verdict
Beats 360 fills a real gap: premium over-ear noise-canceling headphones designed to survive sweat instead of merely appearing at the gym. The modular cushions are useful for hygiene and longevity, not just color matching, and the cross-platform support is unusually complete.
The $349.99 price is easier to justify for workout-focused buyers than for general listeners. Bose and Sony remain strong alternatives for maximum noise cancellation, while Beats Studio Pro is more versatile for wired use. For the right person, however, the combination of IPX4 protection, long battery life and replaceable contact surfaces makes the Beats 360 genuinely distinct.
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Sources
Beats official Beats 360 announcement
Beats 360 official product page
The Verge Beats 360 hands-on review